CARLS, JR., William Theodore

William Theodore Carls Jr. (1931 - 2012) William Theodore Carls Jr., of Phoenix, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at the age of 80. He was born in Arenzville and moved to Phoenix 52 years ago. He attended Western Illinois University at Macomb. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War and started his own landscaping service 46 years ago. He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Ludwig); son, Steven Carls; loving daughter, Stacey Combs (Thomas); sisters, Alice Ore, Katherine Lovekamp (Merle), Joanne Jacobsen (Wayne), Mary Brannan and Patricia Wydell (Jim); and brother, Kenneth Carls. He was a member of the Phoenix Rose Society, Valley of the Sun Gardeners and former assistant director of the Pacific Southwest District of the American Rose Society. He was a consulting Rosarian, and an accredited horticulture judge of the American Rose Society. He was awarded several honors and medals including the Outstanding Consulting Rosarian and the Gallica award. Past president and yards chairman of the Village Meadows Concerned Neighborhood Association. He was involved in other groups and organizations and received additional awards and honors as well. He was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church where he served as a lector and an usher. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 19644 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Valley , ALS Society, The Humane Society or the Valley Garden Center. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to leave online condolences. Published in Jacksonville Journal-Courier on May 6, 2012